[To THE EDITOR OF THE ' SPECTATOR.")
Sin,—In the article "Songs, Naval and Military," appearing in your issue of September 20th, one inaccuracy has to be noted. Garrick's effusion, " Hearts of Oak," referred by the writer to the Napoleonic era, belongs to an earlier period, namely, that of the Seven Years' War, 1756.63. Oar share of that long struggle was a stiff contest with the French, both in the Old and the New worlds. The year 1759 was signalized by a run of British victories. The field of Minden, won on August 1st of that year, the heroic escalade of Quebec on September 12th, and the naval action of Quiberon, fought November 20th, had exhilarated the public mind, so that Horace Walpole tells us that City men were wont to accost each other with the salute, " Any new victories this morning P" Garrick's patriotic but jingoistic song was evoked by the doings of Admiral Hawke and his seamen at Quiberon Bay. I am no authority on song literature, but I noted this item while reading Hawke's life some time ago.—I am, Sir, &c., JOHN MCNEILAGE.
Bower Free Church Manse, Caithness.
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